Video: Will ISIS Seek to Deter Russia after Losses in Syria

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser - The victory of the Syrian army backed by Russian aircraft in Palmyra on Saturday is a significant victory and more proof that ISIS is losing ground both in Syria and in Iraq. It is a trend that is reshaping the Middle East. The problem with that is they are losing ground to the Iranian Empire, which is comprised of Iran, Hizbullah, and Assad, with the support of the Russians. It's a zero-sum game. The ultra-radical Sunni party led by the Islamic State is losing ground to the ultra-radical Iranian party led by people like Qassem Suleimani [commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force] who threaten the stability and well-being of the world just the same. If someone believes that we will see fewer attempts by the Islamic State to carry out terror attacks in Western Europe or elsewhere just because it is losing in certain regions of Syria and Iraq, this is not the case. At the same time, Islamic State may make greater efforts to deter the Russians who, despite their saying they are withdrawing their forces from Syria, are continuing to operate there. ISIS may consider working against the Russians as a higher priority because of what has happened in Palmyra and elsewhere. Gen. Kuperwasser is former head of the Research Division of IDF Military Intelligence.


2016-03-28 00:00:00

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